This genus comprises more than 20 species worldwide that are typically characterized by the crustose, granular to leprose thalli, innate to subimmersed apothecia, a poorly developed proper exciple, muriform to transversely septate ascospores, and a thallus producing different secondary metabolites or with the rare absence of compounds.
In addition to Graphidaceae, patches of non-graphidaceous leprose taxa were also noticed among graphidoid members of Hemithecium and Pallidogramme, and a few of these were recognized as Phlyctis ( Ostropales, Phlyctidaceae). 45 species that have been reported from Hong Kong. Previously, more than 100 species of the genus Graphis have been reported from China, excluding c. tenoriensis are reported as new for the country. Among these, an interesting Graphis species producing norstictic and stictic acids and characterized by entire labia, slit-like disc, lateral thalline margin, completely carbonized proper exciple, and muriform ascospores is described here as a new species. The area is home to several bark-inhabiting lichens, chiefly belonging to Graphidaceae. All of the collections were made in an evergreen forest in Pu'er National Forest Park in the province. It is the most diverse area situated in the southwest of the country, with a humid subtropical climate.
Yunnan is a mountainous province of China designated as a global biodiversity hotspot. During a field excursion to China, some interesting lichen material was noticed and collected from Yunnan in December 2013 under the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Korea National Research Resource Center Program.